A businessman who has dedicated more than 20 years to fundraising to support veterans has been nominated for a Pride of Britain Award.
Harold Payne, who owns the Anglia Motel in Fleet, has raised almost £600,000 over the past 22 years and taken hundreds of veterans on visits to the battlefields and war cemeteries in France and Belgium.
He has been nominated for one of the prestigious awards by Martin Pell (49), of Spalding, who is a regular diner at the motel and has been impressed by Harold’s work.
He said: “I have known Harold as a friend for a little while now and I thought it was about time he was properly recognised for what he does for the veterans.
“I put on the nomination about all the fundraising he has done and about how he has taken veterans to visit the graves and beaches for so many years.
“I am really pleased that he has now made it through to the final four for this region.
“If he gets through he will go on to the national final, but even if he doesn’t I hope the publicity he receives will go a little way to recognising what he has achieved.”
The regional finalists will be featured on Central TV on four consecutive nights between 6pm and 6.30pm from Monday, September 7 to Thursday, September 10.
Harold said he was proud to be nominated in the high profile awards, not for his own glory but to promote the hard work and dedication of the veterans who have helped him over the past 20 years and to bring the story of their sacrifices to a new generation.
He said: “I’m not one for publicity for myself but if it raises the profile of what we do, then I am really happy to be nominated.
“It will be a thank-you to the veterans who have rattled a bucket at supermarkets for hours on end to raise money.”
The Pride of Britain Awards ceremony is a glittering televised affair held in London and hosted by presenter Carol Vorderman – usually attracting an audience of five million.
The winners are chosen by a panel of judges. Last year’s winners have included fundraising teenager Steven Sutton and the Invictus Games British Armed Forces team.
